Charlton relegation rivals appoint ex Premier League and Leeds United manager

Charlton Athletic relegation rivals in League One, Cambridge United, have today appointed Garry Monk as head coach as the club looks to maintain its place in the third division.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United boss replaces Neil Harris, who quit the U's to return to Millwall in February. Cambridge United have lost their last four league fixtures and are level on points with the Addicks, with a game in hand.

Monk will be tasked with turning recent form around and helping the side move upwards from its precarious 19th-placed position, away from the bottom four. The coach arrives with real pedigree, having won the league as a player with Swansea City and gone on to manage the side in the Premier League and Europa League.

Paul Barry, Cambridge United Majority Owner, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Garry as our next Head Coach. This follows a thorough process and three separate interviews with owners, board and senior staff from across the Club last week where Garry emerged as our unanimous choice.

“He is a coach of high pedigree, has managed at the top level and impressed us all with his leadership skills, clarity of thinking and his analysis of Cambridge United - both the squad and the Club.  Although he has had opportunities to get back into the game over recent times, he has been waiting for the right one. Like us, he sees this as a project and we are pleased he has decided to join us on the journey ahead.

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“We do, of course, all recognise that there is the immediate challenge of securing our League One future after what has been a difficult period for everyone at the Club, following Neil Harris’ unexpected and sudden departure."

Charlton drew 2-2 with Cambridge United at The Valley in December with Alfie May and Chem Campbell on the scoresheet for the Addicks. The two sides will next meet on April 13 at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

Monk has faced Nathan Jones three times before as a manager, twice at Sheffield Wednesday and once at Leeds United while the current Charlton manager was at Luton Tow. Monk's side won two of those fixtures 1-0 with Jones getting the better of the Welshman once by the same scoreline.